Friday, March 29, 2013

1. Well hello there, Madison. We’ll start off this game of 20 Questions with an easy one: How much of you is in Max, your protagonist in the Ember series?

MD: Probably about 50% me, 50% rockstar superhero. Ember and the character of Max were the first things I created in literary form (back in 2008), and at the time, I was told to “write what you know...” Well, that’s what I did. And all I really KNOW is 80’s movies, comic books, music and the awkwardness of teenage angst. Ha.

SD: I can totally picture you as Nicolas Cage in that 80’s cinematic masterpiece, Valley Girl ;) Hahaha, I hope our readers look up the cover! (kidding, kidding)

2. How about you, Sophie? How much of yourself goes into the stories you create?

SD: Talia, the main character in Talented has some similarities, both physical and in personality. But I have other characters that have a lot more of me in them, and some with a lot of my closest friends.

3. I know that Max has trouble choosing between the two female characters in Ember; how much of a ladies man were you in high school?

MD: Hmmm...tough question. There were two versions of me back in school, the easy-going, soft-spoken, frontman to my local rock band AND then there was the shy, awkward, hopeless romantic, that just wanted to connect with that “one” special person. Let me put it this way, I looked like the kind of boy your father would hate for you to bring home, but was actually the exact kind of young man your parents always told you to look for. Basically, a ‘good boy’ in a ‘bad boys’ body.

SD: Haha, so a wolf in sheep’s clothing? Nice. Sounds like my kind of guy now, though back in those days I would have gone for the straight-up wolf.

SD: Strawberries… now why does that sounds familiar? Ohhh, right, that’s Samantha from Ember’s scent…you heard it here first ladies- we found Madison’s kryptonite!

6. Tell us about your LAST relationship. BOOM.

SD: It’s a tragic tale of love, Madison. We first met in college, where we bonded over dirty dishes and pickles – we worked at a sandwich place. I fell in love with his long hair and angry attitude, not sure what he saw in me, but I did wait tables in some very short shorts. While it was obvious we both pined for the other, we never professed our love. I left our small college town for D.C., while he headed south to warmer weather – Miami to be exact. He married a Brazilian supermodel. I got a Master’s degree. He divorced the Brazilian supermodel. I got a law degree. And then if finally seemed like the right time to get together. Unfortunately, our mutual attraction only existed in theory. In reality, we had nothing in common. So after a year of flying back and forth between DC and Miami, we parted ways. Since then, only one boy sleeps in my bed, my Benji look-alike, Humphrey.

7. Who were you most nervous to have read your first book?

MD: He hasn’t read it yet. So, I can’t answer that question just yet. BUT it’s always nerve-racking to show your words to your family.

8. What was the most surprising reaction you received after showing your work to the ones closest to you, good or bad?

SD: My uncle called my mother to tell her how funny the first book was. He said I must have a terrific sense of humor. The only problem is, the book wasn’t supposed to be funny…

9. Do you have a writing outfit? Do you get dressed every day when you’re working on a novel, or are you the ratty bathrobe, holey boxers type?

MD: I’m definitely a jeans and T-shirts kind of guy. Casual, yet proper. Nothing feels as good as a nicely worn, old pair of jeans.

10. Your perfect location to work, write, and play...the beach? Or the park?

SD: The beach. I recently went to a destination wedding in St. Croix and I spent the majority of my time sitting on the beach with my HUGE laptop, writing. It was the best week of my life.

11. What was it like writing from the perspective of a teenage girl?

MD: I love it. I’ve only done it a little bit, in the Ember series. BUT I’m actually working on an all new series from the perspective of a teenage girl. Honestly, I think boys and girls are fundamentally made up of all the same ingredients. Fear, love, acceptance and the joy of discovering something new. We just process those ideas a little differently, that’s all.

12. What’s your favorite character emotion to write about in your stories?

SD: Hmmmm. Hard one. Oddly I’m going to say anger. I think about every time the parking attendants ticket my car at 7:01 (it has to be moved at 7:00am for street cleaning), just as I am running outside in my pajamas to move it, and I put all of that frustration at the parking people into my characters.

13. How have you found the transition from writing songs to writing out whole novels? Did any of your books start as songs, but then you realized that the story needed to be told in depth?

MD: They’re quite different. There is a similarity in the layout and structure building though. My song writing is usually based around the song title or the groove or hook of the song AND I’ve found that my stories come to me the same way. Either a title sets me in the direction of the story I am writing or the main plot twist or hook decides the path I choose. Great question!

14. Any favorite bands? Songs? Music inspiration?

SD: Definitely the Foo Fighters; I even traveled across the pond last fall just to see them play at the Reading Festival! They played a three-hour set and I was in heaven. I’ve also been known to rap Biggie Smalls in some of my finer moments. In general, though, I listen to a lot of different music for inspiration when I write. I have playlists for books, scenes, characters, you name it.

15. What are the worst song lyrics you’ve ever written?

MD: Ha. Probably something to do with “big butts.” Just kidding. :)

SD: Those other brothers can’t deny…

16. Any literary crushes? Favorite authors or books?

SD: I don’t think I have any literary crushes right now- that special place in my heart reserved for character crushes is all Agent Derrick Morgan from Criminal Minds. Favorite authors, hmm, there are a lot. Stephen King, Dean Koontz, and Mary Higgins Clark are my old standbys. I read just about any new book they put out, regardless of whether it sounds good.

17. What is your biggest quirk?

MD: I’m a bit of a gadget whore. I’m always chasing after the newest electronics. I think it has something to do with all the pretty lights! I’m also addicted to eyedrops. The stronger the better. Not too weird, I hope.

SD: Me too! My best friend and I always crack up about the ridiculous number of chargers we have to pack every time we take a trip. It’s a far cry from when we backpacked around Europe, carrying around paperbacks and –gasp!- sans cell phones. As for the eyedrops… yeeeah, totally normal…

18. What’s the nicest thing you’ve ever done for a complete stranger?

SD: Wow, really making me dig deep for this one. I guess the nicest thing I’ve ever done for a complete stranger is pay for difference when she didn’t have enough money for the bill at Target.

19. If you had a helicopter, what would you name it?

MD: Easy! “THE REAPER!” Why? Because when someone says they’re scared to fly in my chopper I can jump up and scream... “DON’T FEAR THE REAPER!” That would rock! No? Okay then, how about “Hank.” Yah, I like Hank. Come fly the friendly skies with me and Hank. Word.

SD: Best. Answer. Ever. Definitely stick with the first one- more cowbell, anyone?

20. If I offered to fly you anywhere in my helicopter, where would you like to go the most?

SD: Can you take a helicopter from here to Switzerland? My favorite place in the world is Interlaken, Switzerland. You can run off the top of an Alp with a parachute and spend 10 minutes just floating down. You can also be pushed off of one in a big rubber ball- it’s called Zorbing- but I drew the line at that.

Thank you

Sophie, I just wanted to take a second to thank you for sharing your thoughts with me and our readers. This interview was a blast! You’ve been fantastic to get to know. I see great and epic things ahead for you. I’m sure your fans think the same. Let’s do this again! Write on! Rock on! ~ M

Thanks Madison! And thank you for taking the time to answer my questions; we’ll definitely have to do it again. I wish you continued success with your books and music!

I’d also like to give a shout out to Derinda Love over at YATR- she made it possible to get this out to our readers on all of these amazing blogs, and she donated the gorgeous charms bracelets with our book covers (made by Cassie Chavez over at Cassie’s Crafty Creations!)

Three months after Sage Hannigan time warps a hundred years into the past and saves the future as we know it, she is still trying to come to grips with all the has gained…and all that she has lost. All of her searching hasn’t turned up Cerberus Society or any creatures of the night and she’s beginning to wonder if she’s gone crazy after all. The only things keeping her grounded are her sparring sessions with Matt and her weekly ritual of scouring the city for low lives to kick the crap out of, and even that can’t keep her dreams free of the heartache and bitter sweet memories she has come to loath and…to cherish. When blasts from the past; good, bad, and evil, come knocking on her door, will she be able to do what she has to even if it means having her barely-healing heart ripped to shreds?

Review:

OMG this book is so super amazing!!! I didn't think Contingency could be topped, but Peggy Martinez did it! Relativity has everything I love in a book. The pages were filled with action that kept me bouncing on the edge of my seat and humor that made me crack up so hard. Relativity also has romance and passion which are just the icing on the cake. I will warn you though, she got me again with a cliffhanger to beat all cliffhangers. I am dying to get my hands on the next book as soon as it comes out. I can't tell you how many times I found myself surprised and majorly shocked at some of the events that took place. Peggy Martinez has delivered another top notch book!!

Relativity begins 3 months after Sage warped back to her own time. I felt the heartache she felt being yanked from the ones she had grown to care for in 1904. The emptiness of her own time was almost too much to handle, but Sage is a strong and determined woman. That quality alone makes me like her, but add her sarcastic humor and kick a** fighting skills and you have the best of everything! I can't get enough! Here is an example of what I mean, I nearly peed my pants laughing so hard.

"Oh, that's right. You started a new job today, didn't you?" he asked as he began removing his gear. I snorted and his brow shot up. "That bad, huh?" "You could say that. I broke a guy's nose and got fired all in the first hour."

Soren is back and hotter than ever! He is so charming and knows exactly how to make my, I mean Sage's heart race. I was so excited throughout Relativity because you get to know more about Soren and how deep his feelings really go. I couldn't have been happier to see Sage turn to him for support and affection. I honestly cheered for him, but who knows what will happen in the end. I will keep my fingers crossed that Soren gets his HEA.

I want to say so much more, but I am afraid I will give too much away. The Sage Hannigan Time Warper Series is one of my all time favorite series. The writing and story is phenomenal. I am addicted to the world Peggy has created and cannot wait to find out what happens next! 1 million stars!!!

Monday, March 25, 2013

I don’t know about you all, but I love my dog, Stryder. He’s a funny, furry, all white, American Eskimo with a tail that curls like a big cinnamon roll and ears that are always alert and eager for my next word. He gives me his undivided time and attention and will fetch for me, if I ask. He has good manners and knows exactly when to shake someone’s hand. He’s all about kisses and joyfully provides those puppylicious pecks whenever I’m down, and he even comes to bed on command.

They say a dog is man’s best friend? I say my dog is mine!

As much as I like to be the boss, and appreciate the loyalty and love Stryder so willingly provides, if I had to compare him to a man, I’d say he was a tad too tame for my tastes. Granted, I want to hang on to some of those positive traits I mentioned above, but I prefer a man who is not afraid to snap the leash and lead. One who doesn’t lick me like a poodle, but who devours me like a wolf.

That’s the type of man/werewolf Chloe Carpenter finds in my latest book, I Kissed a Dog, book one in Werewolves of the West series.

Chloe is a bit like me. Slightly sarcastic, a bit flighty and indecisive (okay, a lot indecisive) and more than a little impulsive at times, but when the bad guys threaten her loved ones, she’s more than willing to use her supernatural powers to defeat the darkness. She has grown up with a deep aversion to the canine species as a whole, and considering one critter almost ended her short existence at fifteen, she isn’t a big fan of their playful ways. After spending months in a coma, she awakens with a whole new set of skills. The most impressive (initially) is her ability to communicate with animals, dogs inclu

Zane Marshall, purebred werewolf enforcer, should-be pack Alpha, Veterinarian and Entrepreneur, enters Chloe’s world when she’s twenty-four, and working at a seaside wildlife park. Zane is exactly the spark she needs to light up her life. And boy does he set it on fire!

Wickedly handsome, highly protective, cunning, fierce, loyal, forceful, playful, intense, and willing to die for her, Chloe finds a “dog” worth howling about. Actually, he’s the one howling, and he’s no dog. He’s a wolf to be reckoned with. When she discovers he’s a purebred werewolf, her world is never the same.

He will do anything, and I mean anything (can’t share a spoiler) to protect Chloe. Some readers have been a bit disturbed by that “anything.” I thought we should ask Zane himself why he did what he did, and what he finds so appealing about Chloe Carpenter. Join me?

Above: Zane Marshall in human form.

Zane, your motives weren’t exactly pure when you first met Chloe. When did you know it was going to be more than “business” as usual with her?

When she opened her mouth to insult me, I knew. Most women, and please, don’t take this the wrong way, it is what it is. Most women throw themselves at me. I’m not against aggressive women who know what they want, but the fact that Chloe wasn’t one of those women was enticing. My wolf was intrigued as well. He smelled something different and downright delectable in her essence. As a purebred, my emotions tend to be more intense, though I’m very capable of concealing them beneath my hard exterior. She made me feel something I’d never felt before.

About those motives … did you feel guilty at all about what you were doing initially?

No, I did not feel guilty at first. Pack protection is my duty and my life. One human, as attractive as she might be, would not deter me from my mission. I believed I could maintain my professional position and still develop a relationship with Chloe. Protecting her was just as important, even in the beginning, as she was critical to our cause. My desire to protect her rapidly became personal, and then I began to feel unsettled by my dishonesty. I am not a liar, but there were a number of situations that honesty had to be delayed due to the life or death nature of the mission.

Speaking of lies and secrets, the big night, and you know the one I’m referring to, required you to make decisions that might seem to some criminal. Explain yourself.

I don’t owe anyone an explanation except Chloe. What I did I’d do again if it ensured her safekeeping. I was willing to look like a monster if it kept her alive and well. I would have died, and still would in order to protect her. This may sound harsh, but disapproval from you or anyone else is meaningless in the big scheme of things. The one I hated to hurt was the one I was determined to protect. I encourage people to finish the story before passing judgment on what they think happened between me and Chloe.

What makes a woman attractive to you, Zane?

Let’s be real, initially, men are all drawn to something physical, whether it’s a woman’s eyes, hair, lips, breasts, legs … you get the picture. But there are plenty of sexy and attractive women in the world. For most guys, Rhonda would be more than enough woman to keep up with. In my case, I found her to be cheap, tacky, and fake. Chloe was real. Her beauty was natural. The fact that she is exotically multiracial really appealed to me. She is so unique and fresh. Sexy and feisty. I found her many contrasts impossible to resist. Yes, I know, she’s a spitfire, kept secrets (don’t we all), and had a hell of a hard time making up her mind about me, but that made our developing relationship that much more exciting. I wanted to be the man who tamed that little hellcat. My big bad wolf refused to be denied. I’m off topic here … she does that to me. (soft, sexy chuckle). Attraction for me involves the total package. Is she someone I can enjoy being with in every way? Someday we all lose our sexiness to some degree. Will I still want to spend time with a specific female once all the physical lures have been exhausted, for whatever reason? That’s the main question. Unfortunately, though, as a purebred, I can love everything about a woman, if the fates don’t match us as mates, there is no hope for a permanent relationship.

Thanks Zane!

Anytime. (wink) He strides away making my toes curl. Yummy! He can shed fur at my place anytime. Too bad he’s been snagged.

Choe is one lucky girl. If you want to learn more about Zane Marshall and all his sexiness, secrets, and why he fell so hard for Chloe, you’ll have to read their story in I Kissed a Dog and in the upcoming She Kissed a Vampire.

Until next time …

Review

I was initially drawn to this book for it's catchy title. I am so glad I got my hands on this little beauty. I was completely mesmerized with the story and a certain sexy alpha male. Carol Van Atta has a major hit on her hands with I Kissed A Dog!

Chloe Carpenter is not your average woman. She has the ability to communicate with animals. I love this about her. She uses her skills to help injured or traumatized animals at the Plum Beach Wildlife Park. Chloe is funny and a bit sarcastic, which I find to be great qualities in a leading lady. She also makes me laugh at her lack of gracefulness at the most inopportune times, sometimes leading to life threatening situations. Thank goodness for her gorgeous savior Zane.

Zane Marshall is the new veterinarian at the wildlife park. He's sexy, confident and completely gets under Chloe's skin. He is also a werewolf that is working undercover to find out who is murdering young men in the area. I instantly swooned over Zane. He is purely masculine with a sensual animal magnitism that drives me wild. I couldn't get enough of him!

"Why did Zane have to be drop dead gorgeous wearing Levis that hugged his muscular legs? I'm a leg girl. Powerul legs and a tight bum were a major turn on. His presence gave me heartburn. It looked like I'd have to invest in some strong antacids." This quote says it all.

I am completely captivated by the story of Chloe and Zane. In this book I get bits of all my favorite supernatural creatures. Werewolves, Vampires, Mutants and hints at more possibilities in the series. I have to warn you, once you start reading you won't want to put it down. I felt like screaming because I didn't want the book to end. I need more!! I can't wait for book 2. I Kissed A Dog is a book I highly recommend.

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